Systems and Methods for Performing Secure Commercial Transactions

ABSTRACT

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for performing secure commercial transactions. The commercial transactions may be, for example, pre-pay pickup transactions, direct pay transactions, and transfer transactions. An identity of a user that initiates a commercial transaction may be verified based on biometric data. The biometric data may, for example, be representative of an image of at least a portion of a face of an individual, an image of an iris of an individual, at least a portion of a fingerprint of an individual, a temperature signature of an individual, a heartbeat signature of an individual, an odor characteristic of an individual, or a voice characteristic of an individual. The application can be utilized in commercial environments, getting rid of the traditional way to do transactions providing direct interaction between the merchant and the issuer of funds as well as allow an individual to engage as a buyer or seller position within a single profile, representative of an individual or business profile within a marketplace social community.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority, under 35 U.S.C.§119(b), of U.S. Provisional patent No. 62/003,474, filed May 27, 2014,entitled Multiple Payment Social Mobile Wallet, the disclosure of whichis incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Commercial transactions, such as buying products at retailestablishments, buying products via internet sites, and transferringfunds from one account to another account, are often performed via acredit card, a debit card, or an electronic means. Cash transactions arebecoming less frequent.

Use of stolen credit cards and other forms of fraudulent transactionsare becoming common place. At most, an identity of an individualinitiating a commercial transaction is verified by use of anidentification, such as a driver's license, comparison of anindividual's signature on a credit card, or the like.

Even more problematic is that merchants rarely, if ever, knowindividuals initiating commercial transactions. Thus, systems,apparatuses, and methods for performing secure commercial transactionsare needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for performing a secure commercial transaction, theapparatus comprising: a user interface module that enables a user toinitiate a commercial transaction; a biometric data receiving modulethat is configured to receive biometric data representative of anidentity of the user that initiates the commercial transaction; and auser identity verification module that verifies an identity of the userbased on a comparison of the biometric data representative of theidentity of the user that initiates the commercial transaction withsample data that is correlated with a particular individual.

In another embodiment, a payment method for use in a commercialtransaction includes receiving a user initiation of a commercialtransaction; receiving biometric data representative of an identity ofthe user that initiates the commercial transaction; and verifying anidentity of the user based on a comparison of the biometric datarepresentative of the identity of the user that initiates the commercialtransaction with sample data that is correlated with a particularindividual.

In a further embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable mediumstoring instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause theprocessor to perform a secure commercial transaction, includes a userinterface module that, when executed by a processor, causes theprocessor initiate a commercial transaction in response to a user input;a biometric data receiving module that, when executed by a processor,causes the processor to receive biometric data representative of anidentity of the user that initiates the commercial transaction; and auser identity verification module that, when executed by a processor,causes the processor to verify an identity of the user based on acomparison of the biometric data representative of the identity of theuser that initiates the commercial transaction with sample data that iscorrelated with a particular individual.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are connecting flow charts showing a method of socialnetworking through mobile interactivity on a global basis, according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are connecting flow charts and, along with FIGS. 2C and2D, are a series of flow charts showing a method of social networkingthrough profile interactivity on a global basis, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3, depict an example method and apparatuses for user sign-up anduser sign-in;

FIG. 4, depict an example method and example apparatuses for performinga pre-paid pickup transaction;

FIG. 5 depicts an example method and example apparatuses for performinga direct pay transaction;

FIG. 6 depicts an example method and example apparatuses for performinga transfer transaction;

FIG. 7 depicts an example method and example apparatuses for a mobilewallet for performing a pre-paid pickup transaction, a direct paytransaction, and a transfer transaction;

FIG. 8 depicts an example system for biometric matching facilitationthrough a server architecture; and

FIG. 9 depicts an example retail settings with interactive monitors,tablets, phones, watches for performing secure commercial transactions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that may each be usedindependently of one another or in combination with other features.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for performing securecommercial transactions. The commercial transactions may be, forexample, pickup transactions, direct pay transactions, and transfertransactions. The term “commercial transaction” is used herein todescribe an interaction between two or more parties in which goods,services or something of value is exchanged. For example, something ofvalue may be exchanged for some type of remuneration.

An identity of a user that initiates a commercial transaction may beverified based on biometric data. The biometric data may, for example,be representative of an image of at least a portion of a face of anindividual, an image of an iris of an individual, at least a portion ofa fingerprint of an individual, a temperature signature of anindividual, a heartbeat signature of an individual, an odorcharacteristic of an individual, or a voice characteristic of anindividual.

The present systems and methods may provide a real-time mobile paymentapplication that provides users an ability to make a pre-paid pickup, adirect payment, or a transfer. As a particular example, a user mayestablish an account by entering, for example, a first name, a lastname, an email address, a password, credit card information, debit cardinformation, and sample biometric data (e.g., a series of digital imagesof at least a portion of their face). Subsequently, when the individualinitiates a commercial transaction (e.g., a pre-paid pickup transaction,a direct pay transaction, or a transfer transaction), the individualtakes a digital image of themself, or a merchant may take a digitalimage of the individual, and the digital image of the individual thatinitiated the commercial transaction is compared to the sample imagesprovided at the time the account was established. Thereby, the identityof the individual initiating the commercial transaction may be verified.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides social networkingsystems using mobile communication devices or personal computers tomanage business and social transactions from a single point of referencesite. The social networking systems of the present disclosure mayeliminate a need to access and log into multiple sites to carry outthese tasks.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may include an application forusing mobile technology to access an internet site; another applicationfor use of personal computer technology, and another application tocarry out multiple transactions from a single individual profile page ata reference site.

A method of the disclosure may operate through a website thataccommodates what may be termed a “Lean Social Exchange.”

The application for use of a mobile device, which may be a cell phone orpersonal data assistant (PDA), or a personal computer is shown in theflowchart 100 a, 100 b of FIGS. 1A and 1B. Using either means of access,the user arrives at, for example, the derbywire.com URL and a mobilelanding page 105 a, and a decision point 110 a to determine membership.If the user is not a member, the user may view site information 125 a,take a site tour 125 a, read through landing site page content 130 a,and, if desired, join the site by filling out a registration form 135 aand by providing sample biometric data (e.g., a series of images of aportion of their face, a finger print, a voice sample, a temperaturecharacteristic, an odor sample, a heart rate signature, etc.). An emailconfirmation may then be sent to the newly joined member and an e-lertmay be posted on an associated individual community-landing page 150 a.

If the user joins the site, the user may select subscription feed 140 ato be directed to an associated profile 160 a. The user may alsocustomize a profile page 145 a as well as an individualcommunity-landing page 150 a.

At the personal profile page, the following may be done: takingpersonality assessments, download virtual book publications, upload andtake tests, download online games, recordings, pictures, videos, virtualfiles and data, sms, receive messages from PCs or mobile devices, obtaina filtered list of mobile news, geo location awareness, advertisements,virtual tools, obtain mentors and tutors, internal virtual contentsearch capability and access the community landing page.

The community landing page may be a user's individual community pagewhere all the colleagues and friends the user has accepted in a profilemay have access. The community landing page may have geo locationcapability, news, and listings of recent jobs, advertisements, usergenerated content, news channeling and the like.

If the user is already a member of the site, the user may log in 115 aand navigate directly to an individual community-landing page 130 a andthen to an individual profile homepage 145 a. The profile may havecapability of being selectively set to a business or a leisure mode asset up by the user.

Once a user is a member of the site, the user may select an activity inwhich, for example, he seeks to find a project or job 121 b. The usermay submit a project for consideration 156 b, or may share knowledge andvirtual goods 162 b.

The user may search for potential jobs or projects by entering a projector search criteria 122 b, review rates and project details 123 b,request additional data 124 b, and may bid on an offer 126 b. The usermay also review any project or job offering details, and have theopportunity to bid on a project 126 b, or if suitable, participate in areverse auction 127 b.

The user may also submit her own projects or job offer by selecting“submit project or job” where the user may upload any relevantinformation supporting the project or job requirements using sitetechnology 156 b, including incorporating a data storage file, pictures,video clips, assessments, recordings and other relevant information 157b. The user may also select minimum and maximum values for the purposesof auction 159 b and may indicate whether the project is private orpublic 158 b. By going back to a main member site and repeating the“submit project or job” option, the user may list a second project orjob.

If the user is visiting the site to share knowledge 162 b, the user mayview other member's information 163 b, add colleagues or friends to hisprofile 164 b, email, chat or send e-alerts 166 b.

The contents of the personal profile may include, for example, testing(e.g., “TagWire”) assessments, online virtual publication downloads,online game downloads, recordings, pictures, videos, virtual files anddata, geo location awareness, news streaming, use of virtual tools, andaccess to individual community landing pages for the communities theindividual user develops with colleagues and friends 167 b, 171 b.

With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, flow diagrams 200 a, 200 b,200 c, 200 d are depicted that illustrate steps for profileinteractivity on a global basis. When using the system for this purpose,(FIGS. 2A and 2B), a user may log in as indicated 115 a and may have theopportunity to check and read their email 215 a before going to acommunity homepage 220 a, where the user may view postings,advertisements, and online virtual publications and games and the like235 a. The user may then navigate to an individual profile homepage 240a where the user may post messages 255 a or view messages others haveposted 250 a, 260 a. The user may navigate to view his personalassessment 251 b and then return to his individual profile homepage 252b. Messages may be posted on the profile by selecting a message button265 a, typing a message in a mobile of the profile page message box andselecting “accept” 270 a.

At this point the user may navigate to online accessories 271 b todownload virtual publications or games 274 b, 281 b. The user may inputa request for a publication or game search in the research box 273 b,282 b, and purchase and download an accessory 274 b, 283 b. The user mayreturn to the profile homepage 252 b. Alternatively, instead of going toonline accessories 271 b, the user may go to a homepage 279 b to requesta game, for example. The user may input a request in a search box 282 b,may select a game and may make a purchase 283 b. The user may download agame in an accessory storage file 284 b, from where the user may accessthe game using a mobile device or PC 286 b.

In an alternative interactive profile as shown in FIG. 2C, a user maynavigate from an individual profile page (FIG. 1A, point A) 205 a to atesting application site (FIG. 2C, point B) 253 c from where the usermay, for example, download a test through a mobile device or PC 254 c.The user may distribute the test to test-takers in the user community256 c, perhaps by email 257 c. At this point, a user may have an optionto return to a profile homepage 258 c and select, for example, a mapchannel 259 c. Here the user may access news or advertisement messageinbox and may accept 261 c. The content may be channeled into a site mapshowing, for example, a geo location 262 c. The user may now return to ahomepage 263 c, post a job or project 267 c, or if not, navigate to anindividual profile page 264 c to arrive at point C in FIG. 2C 266 c.

From point C, the user may navigate on, as shown in FIG. 2D, to, forexample, a site to record a session 287 d by selecting the record buttonin his profile (FIG. 2D, point C) 288 d, 289 d. The application may beused to record to the site profile from a PC or mobile device 291 d. Theuser may save the recording to profile 292 d. If the user chooses not torecord a session, the user may return to the individual homepageimmediately 293 d. The user may select an announcement e-alert from theprofile 294 d, text in a message in the message box 296 d and accept 295d. The message may be channeled to the community homepage 297 d, and theuser may return to the homepage 298 d. Any of these tasks may be donefrom any mobile device or a personal computer.

Turning to FIG. 3, an example method 300 and example apparatus 306, 316,326, 336, 341, 342, 343 to sign-up 325 and sign-in 310 are illustrated.The apparatus 306, 316, 326, 336, 341, 342, 343 may be, for example, acommon smart phone capable of generating the various user interfacesshown on the individual device 306, 316, 326, 336, 341, 342, 343. Theuser may sign-up 325 by, for example, entering their first and lastname, email and password 330, credit (and/or debit) card number, cv codeand expiration month and year 335, and storage of sample biometric data(e.g., a facial digital photograph, an iris digital photograph, a voicesignature, a temperature signature, a heart rate signature, an odorcharacteristic, and/or a fingerprint) for future matching 335. Once theinformation is captured, registration may be complete 345, 350. Sign-into a mobile application may entail using an email and a password, andthe user may be automatically initially directed to their profile. Theprofile may provide the user an ability to manage their items beingsold, settings, shopping cart, activity, card wallet, and dashboard. Theprofile may also allow the user to navigate to payment options.

With reference to FIG. 4, an example method 400 and example apparatus406, 416, 417, 421, 422, 426, 441, 451, 442, 446 for performing apre-paid pickup transaction are illustrated. The apparatus 406, 416,417, 421, 422, 426, 441, 451, 442, 446 may be, for example, a commonsmart phone capable of generating the various user interfaces shown onthe individual device 406, 416, 417, 421, 422, 426, 441, 451, 442, 446.The prepay pickup may allow the user to order items before they get to alocation 405, 410, 415. While traveling to a pickup location, both thebuyer and the seller may see each other in real-time while travelingwith a lapse of time visible from the mobile application 420, 425. Oncethe user makes it to the location, the seller may pull up an order ontheir activity screen of the application 430, and may request abiometric signature from the buyer for a confirmation of pickup 435,440, 460, 470. Occasionally random questions and a password may be askedfor to further verify identification 470. Once the biometric signature(e.g., facial image, finger print, voice signature, etc.) is received,the transaction may be complete 445, 455, 465, and both parties mayreceive an email documenting completion of the transaction along withdata representative of the biometric signature 475.

Turning to FIG. 5, an example method 500 and example apparatuses 506,511, 516, 517, 536 for performing a direct pay transaction areillustrated. The apparatus 506, 511, 516, 517, 536 may be, for example,a common smart phone capable of generating the various user interfacesshown on the individual device 506, 511, 516, 517, 536. If the userinitiates a direct pay to a business, for example, the user may selectto pay from a menu and, in a pay section of the application, businessesmay be automatically retrieved using geo location 505. The user may alsosearch to find a business with which the user wants to conduct a directpay 510. Once the business is identified, purchase items may be selectedand stored in the user's shopping cart for purchase, and a summary ofall items may be depicted to confirm, for the seller, the purchase list.When the user is ready to pay, the seller may pull the order from theseller's activity section of the application from their profile 515 andcollect the buyer's biometric signature (e.g., facial digital image,iris digital image, etc.) 520, 525, 535, 545 to finalize payment foritems that where confirmed in cart. Occasionally random questions and apassword may be asked for to further verify identification 555. Thebiometric signature may be provided to the seller, and the transactionmay be complete 530, 540, 550. Each party may receive an emailconfirmation after completion of the transaction 560.

With reference to FIG. 6, an example method 600 and example apparatuses606, 607, 608, 609, 616, 621, 636 for performing a transfer transactionare illustrated. The apparatus 606, 607, 608, 609, 616, 621, 636 may be,for example, a common smart phone capable of generating the various userinterfaces shown on the individual device 606, 607, 608, 609, 616, 621,636. If the user executes a transfer, the user may receive an automaticpull of people nearby through use of, for example, a geo location 605.The user may also be given an option of conducting a search to findanother user they want to transfer funds 610. Once the person is found,that the user wants to transfer money to, the sender may enter an amountto be transferred, as well as, a comment to the person receiving thetransfer 615. A biometric signature may be provided by the personsending the funds 620, 625, 635, 645 and the receiver may, as well,provide their biometric signature 620, 625, 635, 645 to receive thefunds. Once the person on the receiving end of the transfer enters theirbiometric signature, the transfer transaction may be complete 630, 640,650. Occasionally random questions and a password may be asked for tofurther verify identification 655. Once completed, each party mayreceive an email to confirm completion 660.

Turning to FIG. 7, an example method 700 and example apparatuses 706,707, 708, 709 for performing mobile wallet functions 705, 710, 715 areillustrated. The apparatus 706, 707, 708, 709 may be, for example, acommon smart phone capable of generating the various user interfacesshown on the individual device 706, 707, 708, 709. In summary, there maybe three types of commercial transactions with this multiple paymentsocial mobile wallet process 720: 1) a pre-paid pickup transaction 735,2) a direct pay transaction 725, and 3) a transfer transaction 730. Thisprocess 700 may be supported by a wallet where users are allowed tostore their different forms of payments of credit or debit cards 710,providing flexibility of the user to use different forms of payments asthey would if the user had all their cards in their physical wallet. Abiometric confirmation may be employed to allow the cards to betransacted against. Moreover, for security, the user may occasionally beasked a random question to ensure that the user of the application isthe owner of the profile being used within the payment application.Lastly, all payment transactions may also be logged on the webcorrelated with the associated biometric data, providing the user withthe ability to access viewing of their transactions on the web.

With reference to FIG. 8, an example system 800 for biometric matchingfacilitation through a server architecture is illustrated. Biometricsignatures may be matched to confirm transactions. The servers 830, 831,databases 835, 836, and load balancers 825, 826 may operate in unison tofacilitate the matching of images or biometric data stored to ensure anaccuracy in the matching process for payment confirmation. The mobilenotification services may provide information flow to, for example,mobile telephones, tablets, smart-watches, cameras and web browsers 810,back and forth for matching confirmation. The biometric matching mayprovide a controlled social payment experience that allows users toensure all commercial transactions are secure and controlled as thetransactions are executed. As depicted in FIG. 8, the serverarchitecture 805 may include a commercial transaction site 815, such asAmazon S3 having a fast computer generated imagery (DGI) templategenerator 817, a fast computer generated imagery template generatorreplication 818, a fast CGI biometric matching engine 819, a fast CGIbiometric matching engine replication 820, PHP Linux Web Services 821,and a facial photos, iris photos, fingerprint, voice, heart rate, bodytemperature, etc. recognition fast CGI and PHP 822.

Verification of an identity of an individual, that initiates acommercial transaction, may include acquiring a digital image of atleast a portion of the individual's face (e.g., via a camera of asmartphone, a tablet computer, a digital camera, etc.) in conjunctionwith the given commercial transaction. The digital image of at least aportion of the individual's face, taken in conjunction with the givencommercial transaction, may be automatically compared with at least onepreviously acquired digital image (e.g., a digital image acquired inconjunction with an initial user account registration and/or a digitalimage acquired in conjunction with a previously executed commercialtransaction) , and an verification may be indicated when a probabilityof a match between the digital image taken in conjunction with thecurrent commercial transaction and the previously acquired digital imageexceeds a threshold. Alternatively, or additionally, the digital imageof at least a portion of the individual's face, taken in conjunctionwith the current commercial transaction, may be automatically comparedwith a plurality of previously acquired digital images, and anverification may be indicated when a probability of a match between adigital image taken in conjunction with the current commercialtransaction and any given previously acquired digital image exceeds athreshold. As yet another alternative, or addition, verification of anidentity may be based on a composite probability of a match between adigital image taken in conjunction with the current commercialtransaction and a plurality of previously acquired digital image exceedsa threshold (e.g., a probability of a match between a digital imagetaken in conjunction with the current commercial transaction and a firstpreviously acquired digital image may be 90%, a probability of a matchbetween the digital image taken in conjunction with the currentcommercial transaction and a first previously acquired digital image maybe 80%, and the composite probability of a match is, therefore, 85%). Acomposite probability may be based on a comparison of a currentlyacquired digital image with any number of previously acquired digitalimages and/or may be based on a comparison of a plurality of currentlyacquired digital images with any number of previously acquired digitalimages.

The systems and methods of the present disclosure may account forchanges in an individual's appearance by storing digital images acquiredin conjunction with any given commercial transaction for comparison withdigital images acquired in conjunction with future commercialtransactions. For example, the systems and methods may account for aperson growing a beard, a person aging, a person wearing glasses, etc.

Turning to FIG. 9, an example retail setting 900 illustrated. Anapplication may be used in a retail setting 900 with interactivemonitors 905, tablets, phones 920, and/or watches, replacing traditionalcheckout stations. Users 915 may be a member of a mobile paymentapplication, as described herein, prior to using the retail setting 900.Interactive monitors 905 may be used within the retail stores to allowfor visual browsing of merchandise 910, 925, and to complete a paymenttransaction. In addition, facial recognition software may be used toidentify returning customers in a retail store during store entry. Thismay be provided to retailers around the globe. Any given retail setting900 may include an interactive monitor 905 that incorporates aninteractive overlay displayed on a television. For example, aninteractive monitor (e.g., an ED-D Series Commercial LED LDC Display, asavailable from Samsung) may incorporate a display generator (e.g., achrome box, as available from Asus Computer International, 800 CorporateWay, Fremont, Calif. 94539) to display a user interface of a commercialtransaction application on an associated screen.

Any, or all, of the apparatuses 306, 316, 326, 336, 341, 342, 343, 406,416, 417, 421, 422, 426, 441, 451, 442, 446, 506, 511, 516, 517, 536,606, 607, 608, 609, 616, 621, 636, 706, 707, 708, 709 and/or a server830, 831 may include a processor configured to, for example, execute auser interface module, a biometric data receiving module, a useridentity verification module, a wireless communication module, a sampledata receiving module, an image capture module, a pre-pay pickuptransaction module, a direct pay transaction module, a transfertransaction module. Any one of the user interface module, the biometricdata receiving module, a user identity verification module, a wirelesscommunication module, the sample data receiving module, the imagecapture module, the pre-pay pickup transaction module, the direct paytransaction module, the transfer transaction module may be embodiment inhardware (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), aplurality of discrete electrical components, etc.), may be embodied assoftware and stored as computer-readable instructions on anon-transitory computer-readable medium, or may be a combination ofhardware and software.

In particular, execution of a user interface module may enable a user toinitiate a commercial transaction that involves an exchange of somethingfor value. Execution of a biometric data receiving module may, forexample, cause an associated apparatus to receive biometric datarepresentative of an identity of the user that initiates the commercialtransaction. Execution of a user identity verification module may, forexample, cause an associated apparatus to verify an identity of the userbased on a comparison of the biometric data representative of theidentity of the user that initiates the commercial transaction withsample data that is correlated with a particular individual. Executionof a wireless communication module may, for example, cause an associatedapparatus to transmit biometric data, correlated with a commercialtransaction, from a handheld device to a remote computing device.Execution of a sample data receiving module may, for example, cause anassociated apparatus to receive sample data that is representative of aplurality of images of a particular individual. Execution of an imagecapture module may, for example, cause an associated apparatus toreceive biometric data that is representative of an image of the userthat initiates the commercial transaction, and the sample data may berepresentative of at least one image that is correlated with aparticular individual. Execution of a pre-pay pickup transaction modulemay, for example, cause an associated apparatus to perform a pre-paypickup transaction. Execution of a direct pay transaction module may,for example, cause an associated apparatus to perform a direct paytransaction. Execution of a transfer transaction module may, forexample, cause an associated apparatus to perform a transfertransaction.

By using one point of reference login capability to one site rather thanmultiple sites, the system may gather together privatized video use andglobal information sharing for business real-time, profile use andtesting and upload, file exchange, personality assessment and personaldevelopment, statistical job performance rating, job interviewing viavideo together with storing on the profile, submitting a project andbidding for a job. The user may add multiple jobs or projects to thesite and allow access to jobs globally from a mobile device. Members mayparticipate in reverse auctions real-time from their mobile device andaccept jobs and submit jobs back to the outsourcer and get paid inecommerce.

Methods may direct a profile to a business or a leisure mode for viewingof associated members. The method may channel news from the associatedprofile to a mobile device and a geo location capability from theprofile to a mobile device, and upload files to the profile whileproviding access from the mobile device. The method may connectapplications to the profile, either to store or use. Chats, emails,videos, files and real-time e-lerts will be able to be channeled backand forth from mobile devices to PCs.

The method may also provide member interactivity. Members may be able tocollaborate with other users in either business or leisure mode whilewhat is being viewed on the profile page is protected from what is beingviewed on profiles by other users in the social networking community.Members will be able to view other members in their community as well assearch for other members for job tasks or mentorship. E-alerts and somemessages may be filtered to the site map with a GPS identifier.

It is contemplated that a user may select advertisements on profiles,and advertiser banners may be rated for the most hits. Members of thesite may have an ability to create advertisements from a PC or mobiledevice and may be filtered into a site map or individualcommunity-landing page of an individual.

An associated commercial transaction site may allow users to use onepassword login instead of several. A registration form may be submittedto ensure that other users are protected and the necessary informationis collected to ensure protection of integrity of job biddings, ratingsof user performance and uploads of job or project listings. A computermay help execute the functions provided on a social network. A mobiledevice may provide full access and participation in the process designedfor Internet users.

A one-point information sharing system and method of the presentdisclosure may solve the problem of internet users having to accessmultiple sites to accomplish simple tasks such as professional/friendconnections, collaborations, use of virtual tools and goods, jobsearches and leisure networking. The site may improve efficiency of jobsearches. The site may open new doors for collaboration and personaldevelopment and still offer leisure activities.

It should be understood that the foregoing relates to exemplaryembodiments, and that modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for performing a secure commercialtransaction, the apparatus comprising: a user interface module thatenables a user to initiate a commercial transaction, wherein thecommercial transaction involves an exchange of something for value; abiometric data receiving module that is configured to receive biometricdata representative of an identity of the user that initiates thecommercial transaction; and a user identity verification module thatverifies an identity of the user based on a comparison of the biometricdata representative of the identity of the user that initiates thecommercial transaction with sample data that is correlated with aparticular individual.
 2. The apparatus as in claim 1, furthercomprising an image capture device, wherein the biometric data isrepresentative of an image of the user that initiates the commercialtransaction, and wherein the sample data is representative of at leastone image that is correlated with a particular individual.
 3. Theapparatus as in claim 2, wherein the identity of the user that initiatesthe commercial transaction is verified when the comparison of the imageof the user that initiates the commercial transaction with the at leastone image that is correlated with a particular individual is determinedto match.
 4. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the commercialtransaction is at least one of: a pre-pay pickup transaction, a directpay transaction, or a transfer transaction.
 5. The apparatus as in claim1, wherein the biometric data is representative of at least one of: animage of at least a portion of a face of an individual, an image of aniris of an individual, at least a portion of a fingerprint of anindividual, a temperature signature of an individual, a heartbeatsignature of an individual, an odor characteristic of an individual, ora voice characteristic of an individual.
 6. A payment method for use ina commercial transaction, the method comprising: receiving a userinitiation of a commercial transaction, wherein the commercialtransaction is at least one of: a pre-pay pickup transaction, a directpay transaction, or a transfer transaction; receiving biometric datarepresentative of an identity of the user that initiates the commercialtransaction; and verifying an identity of the user based on a comparisonof the biometric data representative of the identity of the user thatinitiates the commercial transaction with sample data that is correlatedwith a particular individual.
 7. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising: enabling the user to order an item prior to being at alocation.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: enabling aseller to access at the location the order.
 9. The method of claim 6,wherein receiving biometric data includes obtaining at the locationbiometric information of the user that initiated the commercialtransaction.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: paying theseller before the user is at the location or when the user is at thelocation.
 11. The method of claim 6, further comprising: transferringfunds by the user to a third party.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: providing biometric data representative of the third partyto the user.
 13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storinginstructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor toperform a secure commercial transaction, the non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising: a user interface module that, whenexecuted by a processor, causes the processor to initiate a commercialtransaction in response to a user input; a biometric data receivingmodule that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor toreceive biometric data representative of an identity of the user thatinitiates the commercial transaction; a user identity verificationmodule that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor toverify an identity of the user based on a comparison of the biometricdata representative of the identity of the user that initiates thecommercial transaction with sample data that is correlated with aparticular individual; and a wireless communication module that, whenexecuted by a processor, causes the processor to transmit the biometricdata, correlated with the commercial transaction, from a handheld deviceto a remote computing device.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium as in claim 13, further comprising: a sample data receivingmodule that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor toreceive sample data, wherein the sample data is representative of aplurality of images of a particular individual.
 15. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium as in claim 13, further comprising: an imagecapture module that, when executed by a processor, causes the processorto receive biometric data, wherein the biometric data is representativeof an image of the user that initiates the commercial transaction, andwherein the sample data is representative of at least one image that iscorrelated with a particular individual.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium as in claim 15, wherein the identity of theuser that initiates the commercial transaction is verified when thecomparison of the image of the user that initiates the commercialtransaction with the at least one image that is correlated with aparticular individual is determined to match.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium as in claim 13, further comprising: a pre-paypickup transaction module that, when executed by a processor, causes theprocessor to perform a pre-pay pickup transaction.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 13, furthercomprising: a direct pay transaction module that, when executed by aprocessor, causes the processor to perform a direct pay transaction. 19.The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 13, furthercomprising: a transfer transaction module that, when executed by aprocessor, causes the processor to perform a transfer transaction. 20.The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 13, wherein thebiometric data is representative of at least one of: an image of atleast a portion of a face of an individual, an image of an iris of anindividual, at least a portion of a fingerprint of an individual, atemperature signature of an individual, a heartbeat signature of anindividual, an odor characteristic of an individual, or a voicecharacteristic of an individual.